Art and Creativity - especially mandalas but with an occasional wild arty fling, mixed with musings about whatever is happening in my little world.
All images copyrighted. Personal use is OK, and I'd love to know about it. Thanks!

Mandala prints and cards are available at these stores in Orange County, CA:

Awakenings, Laguna Hills, CA

The Sanctuary, Tustin, Ca

Sunburst Sanctuary, Lompoc, Ca

Friday, July 6, 2007

Yup - change seems to be in the air, and we're all gulping great quantities of it. There are some people who relish change and jump right into new circumstances without a second thought. I am one of those who prefer the changes imposed upon me to proceed slowly and easily. But when I decide on something - I want it NOW! Of course, I'm married to a man who will not purchase anything until he has a 2" thick folder of research, but would move to another state at the drop of a hat. Opposites attract, and balance each other out. ** So we are adjusting to changes in health and finances and circumstances, and doing the best we can, like everyone else. The wisdom of AA comes to mind - One Day at a Time.

My creative juice flow has changed too - and that is to be expected. Yes, I'm painting, albeit infrequently, and with unsatisfying results. There's something else being cooked up in the backroom of my mind, and it's just not ready for the light of day yet. In the spiritual practice of creativity, this is the "having faith in the Mystery" part. Faith is like a life jacket - it will only keep you afloat in the rough waters if you had it in the boat when you left shore.

My left brain has lots of reasons to be frustrated - my gallery wants more paintings, my bank account wants more money, my productivity is ridiculously low. My left brain would fire me if it was my boss. My right brain is blissfully unaware of the bad performance review, is doing its thing in solitude, and will let me know when it's done. Being the boss of both of them is quite the management challenge, putting all my leadership skills to the test. If I ever need to get a "real" job again, I'll be sure to put this on my resume.

Keeping everything in perspective, here's a poem from our Poet Laureate, Billy Collins, called While Eating a Pear -

After we have finished here,

the world will continue its quiet turning,

and the years will still transpire,

but now without their numbers,

and the days and months will pass

without the names of Norse and Roman gods.

Time will go by the way it did

before history, pure and unnoticed

a mystery that arose betwen the sun and the moon

before there was a word

for dawn or noon or midnight,

before there were names for the earth's

uncountable things,

when fruit hung anonymously

from scattered groves of trees,

light on the smooth green side,

shadow on the other.

May your changes be just as you like them, but keep your life jacket with you just in case...

**Speaking of opposites, today is the birthday of both the Dalai Lama and George W. Bush. Happy birthday also to my friend and fellow artist, Odile Nicolette!

Classes and Private Instruction

If you'd like to learn how to paint mandalas, private instruction is available at $25/hour. All materials are supplied, except canvas, which I have available for purchase. My studio is in Laguna Hills, California. Please call 949-413-2251 to schedule. I suggest sessions of at least 2-3 hours. (I guarantee it will fly by - it's so much fun!) Bring a friend (up to 4 people total) and each of you will pay only $20/hour.

Paint shy? "Not a creative bone in your body?" All workshops are suitable for absolute beginners. I provide a fun learning environment and a gentle teaching style.

Already know how to paint? Great! Bring your unique style to the mandala form and dive right in!

Current class schedule (2018):

With a few exceptions, all classes are posted and your space needs to be reserved online through Meetup, a free service that connects you to activities, events, and people. You can find the Mandala Visions page here: https://www.meetup.com/MandalaVisions

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Terrific Tuesdays

Every Tuesday 1-4:30

$40 per session Please let me know the day before if you are coming.

Come to paint, to be encouraged, to play, to be in the juiciness and support that happens when people create together. Use my paint and brushes, bring or buy canvas.

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Small is Beautiful -

Sunday, January 21, 1-4:30 pm

$60, includes materials

-A good way to "get your feet wet" with mandalas and acrylic paint on a 12" canvas panel. You'll learn easy techniques to paint a background, then you'll pick a mandala template to transfer on top. Paint it in, add dimensional paint and maybe some crystals for extra shine. Good class for all ages and experience.

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Mini Mandalas - 3X3" Beauties

Friday, January 26 6:30 - 8:30 pm

$40, includes materials

Similar to the "Small is Beautiful" class, but even smaller little beauties! Make up to 4 mandalas by first creating the background, then using a template to lay a mandala on top. Finish with more paint and some fancy touches. These make great gifts and are just the right size for desks and altars.

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The Way of the Mandala - 18x18" Lotus Design

Saturday, February 3 9:30-6:30 pm and

Saturday, February 10 9:30-6:30 pm

for a total of 16 hoursStudio, Laguna Hills$325, includes materials

We'll explore the sacred feminine archetype as we paint a Lotus Mandala. Each class begins with a check-in, a meditation, and a short talk about mandalas, the feminine principle and how it is represented in the ancient symbology of the Lotus flower. No painting experience is required - really! I'll guide you through the design, painting, and embellishing. The techniques you will learn in this class can be used to create all kinds of mandalas on your own.

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Mandala Painting -Small is Beautiful

Sunday, February 11, 1-4:30pm

$60, includes all materials

Studio- Laguna Hills

See above for description

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Mini Mandalas - 3X3" Beauties

Friday, February 16 6:30 - 8:30 pm

$40, includes materials

See above for description.

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Mini Mandalas - 3X3" Beauties

Wednesday, March 14 6:30 - 8:30 pm

$40, includes materials

See above for description.

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The Way of the Mandala - 18x18" Spiral Design

Saturday, March 17 9:30-6:30 pm and

Saturday, March 24 9:30-6:30 pm

for a total of 16 hours

Studio, Laguna Hills

$325, includes materials

The Spiral design really has lots of movement and depth, and is easy to create once you know the "secret!" Each class begins with a check-in, a meditation, and a short talk about mandalas and the spiral's geometric wonders. No painting experience is required - really! I'll guide you through the design, painting, and embellishing.

The techniques you will learn in this class can be used to create spiral designs on your own.

Want to arrange a workshop for a group or a party? My colored pencil workshop is very portable and not messy - perfect for an afternoon gathering of coloring and talking. Think quilting bee, but with colored pencils on black paper. Everyone will go home with their own 12" square mandala.

$40 per person - 3 hours.

---------------------------------If you have a group that wants to take a painting workshop together, call me to arrange a date and time. I recommend the Small is Beautiful workshop. I can come to your residence or place of business.

---------------------------------Making art, especially in community, is a powerful and nurturing experience, and is especially helpful in challenging times.